Module 5 : Directional Overcurrent Protection

Lecture 18 : Directional Overcurrent Relaying

18.3 Phase Fault Protection

Fig 18.7 shows vector diagram and relationship between different phasors. The threshold or maximum torque line is a line
perpendicular to the zero torque line. Again this terminology is because of the legacy of electromechanical relay. The
threshold or maximum torque line can be placed at an angle with respect to V
a
also. This does add complexity to
electromechanical relay design. But same placement is a simple programming job in a numerical relay. For example, the
common practice is to place the maximum torque line at an angle of 60 degrees lag or 45 degrees with respect to ' V
a
' (fig
18.8).





As shown in the fig 18.8, since V
bc
is in phase quadrature
with V
a
, it is possible to use V
bc
as the reference phasor
and locate the maximum torque line at 30 degrees leading
it. This is what traditionally practiced in legacy directional
overcurrent relays (see fig 18.9). With this placement we
now show that directional unit will pickup for both 3-phase
and L-L faults.

Now consider a line fault involving phase 'a' and 'b'. Then,
using 3-phase line model we get,
V
a
- V
f
=Z
s
I
a
+Z
m
(-I
a
) =(Z
s
- Z
m
) I
a
=Z
1
I
a

Similarly,
V
b
- V
f
=Z
s
I
b
+Z
m
I
a
=- (Z
s
- Z
m
) I
a
=- Z
1
I
a

V
a
- V
b
=2(Z
s
- Z
m
) I
a

Since, (Z
s
- Z
m
) =Z
1
=Z
2
of a feeder


If for simplicity we assume Z to be purely reactive, then from fig 18.9 we get that I
f
ab
will be at an angle of 60 degrees
lagging to V
an
. Thus, unit with V
bc
as reference phasor will pickup on both 3-phase fault and L-L fault. For a L-L
fault involving phases 'a' and 'c' , V
ac
lags V
an
by . Assuming purely reactive circuit, the phase current Ia will lag V
bc
by . As seen in the figure, I
ac
will be again in the operate region and the directional unit will pickup. Thus, this unit (
lead with V
bc
as reference phasor) will pickup for all phase faults involving phase 'a'. In contrast, for L-L fault
involving phases 'b' and 'c', I
bc
will lag V
bc
by . Hence, it will lie outside the tripping region of the directional unit.
Therefore, directional unit will not pick up.

To summarize, the key feature in obtaining directional discrimination is the placement of zero torque line which separates
the R-X plane into two regions viz. operate and do not operate. It is apparent that in numerical relays, this placement is
quite flexible and can be specified with respect to any one reference voltage phasor. This placement can be made
programmable.
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